Renault Duster Features, Performance & Test Drive

There is no doubt in the fact that the Duster has kept Renault cash register ringing since its launch. It has been a pocket-friendly SUV which had almost every quality in it to stay on top of its game. But, If we consider the competition now it’s already been quite some that Renault introduced the Duster in India and they should start thinking of adding the updated one now. Renault although launched a facelift variant of the SUV last year with few new nips and tucks still it is now facing lots of competition from its rivals like Maruti and Hyundai.

The good news is that the next generation Duster was recently caught testing and although it’s from Dacia the same vehicle is rebadged and sold in the Indian market by Renault. The almost production ready prototype was recently spotted testing, and the good news is that most of the body panels that has been used will be carried over the production ready variant as well. Request a test drive for Duster in Hyderabad at Tryaldrive.

Although the prototype was covered in heavy camouflage, it is quite evident that the new generation Duster won’t be a revolutionary model instead it carries over some of the design cues from the popular Duster SUV. Now, the prototype which was caught testing was Dacia Duster, but we can assure you the rebadged Renault Duster won’t get much of a change though.

Renault Duster Exterior & Look

Renault has retained the exterior design language of the previous Duster model, and the new Duster does not get any exterior changes. It features nicely carved out wheel arches with stylish steel or alloy wheels, while the AWD version gets stunning gun metal grey alloy wheels. It offers chrome or black door handles and ORVMs depending on variants, large windscreen, defogger, chrome garnished huge tailgate, dual color bumpers, chrome satin skid plate, a large chrome grille and stylized large headlights.”boot and fuel lid as with remote and adjustable headrest as no and system issue is there.

Renault Duster Interior & Space

The Duster is nicely spacious and comes with comfortable seats. Visibility all around is also pretty good. The dashboard has always had a pretty simple layout and the number of features was also limited earlier. The 2016 Duster comes with a reworked dashboard that gets a shiny piano black finish on the centre console. You also get new controls for the AC along with automatic climate control. We found the AC to be a not-so-good performer, especially in the afternoons. The Duster gets a new MediaNAV touchscreen infotainment system that is also mated to a rearview camera. The touch feels satisfactorily responsive but the screen itself isn’t that crisp and under bright sunlight, it gets a bit difficult to read. The steering continues to come with similar controls for phone and music but this time around, the centre console gets a bunch of additional switches thanks to the addition of cruise control.

On the door pads, you get the usual silver trims just like the AC vent surrounds while Renault also offers red trims as optional. The red trims do nothing but make the interiors look absolutely gaudy. The front doors come with useful door pockets but the rear doors have no bottle holders. The driver now gets an armrest while there is also another silver trim near the handbrake area. The front has enough cubbyholes for your belongings and the rear seat too gets an armrest with dual cupholders. There is a 12V power socket behind the rear seat on the left side too. The area above the glovebox comes with DUSTER engraved on it while the entire colour scheme of the interiors has been changed to a combination of greyish brown and beige, though we think the older colour scheme looked better. For more info on Renault Duster checkjsrr.in

Renault Duster Engine & Transmission

The quality and able SUV’s petrol version is equipped with a 1.5 litre 4 cylinder DOHC petrol engine of 1498 cc displacement. The petrol engine produces a max power of 104.5 bhp at 5600 rpm and a peak torque of 142 Nm at 4000 rpm. This engine comes paired with either a 5-speed manual transmission or a CVT. On the other hand, the diesel version is powered by a 1.5-litre dCi engine of 1461 cc displacement and is offered in two states of tune – a 83.8 bhp of power at 3750 rpm with a peak torque of 200 Nm at 1750 rpm, and a 108.4 bhp of power at 4000 rpm with 245 Nm of torque at 1750 rpm. The tuned down diesel engine comes mated to a 5-speed manual gearbox, whereas the 108.4 bhp powered engine is offered with a 6-speed manual and an AMT, while off-road lovers can also opt for an AWD setup.

Unlike some of the counterparts, Duster uses a modern monocoque shell construction for chassis which makes it light and efficient. The Duster SUV’s 85 PS diesel version offers the fuel efficiency of up to 19.87 Kmpl, while the 110 PS version offers a mileage of around 19.64 Kmpl. On the other hand, the petrol version of the SUV delivers the fuel efficiency of up to 13.05 Kmpl. While the Diesel variant (110PS) that comes equipped with an AWD (All Wheel Drive) transmission, promises to offer the most impressive fuel efficiency of 19.72kmpl.

Renault Duster Ride & Handling

Ride quality on the Renault Dusteris fantastic and the SUV has no qualms in tackling bad roads. It can counter whatever is thrown at it and with much ease. The AMT trim comes with MRF tyres while the AWD variant gets much better Apollo rubber. We found the ride quality on the Duster AWD much better because it comes with independent suspension. Handling is also fun and the steering provides good feedback too. The Duster feels very chuckable and is properly fun to drive. Brakes are pretty good too and they don’t disappoint at all. The AWD system itself is quite capable and the Duster can surely take you places!

The next generation Duster surely looks promising and because it will borrow some of the components from its predecessor including the platform and the drivetrains it will most probably be priced quite aggressively which will be its biggest USP.As far as the changes are concerned to expect it to get a restyled exterior and some new bits on the inside while under the hood the new Duster will likely continue with the same powertrain which will be retuned for slightly more power output and fuel efficiency.